Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Medford, OR: $28.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Medford, OR runs $28.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,931 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Medford's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.4, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,359 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Medford, Oregon, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay is projected to be $28.33 in 2026, falling slightly below the national average of $28.93 per hour. This rate provides a solid earnings opportunity for professionals in various work settings, including residential service trucks and complex commercial installations. For those considering part-time employment or per-diem positions, working three days per week could yield approximately $18,736 annually based on a 24-hour workweek. The hourly pay scale in Medford ranges from $21.49 at the entry-level to as high as $40.05 for top earners. The data presented is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and reflects the expected market conditions for the coming year.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.49 | $171.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.99 | $191.94 |
| Median (P50) | $28.33 | $226.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.10 | $288.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.05 | $320.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Medford
Based on $28.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.33/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Medford, OR can expect to earn approximately $58,932 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,999. With a cost-of-living index of 101.43 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Medford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Medford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,133.30 | $4,911 | $58,932 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $679.98 | $2,947 | $35,359 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $453.32 | $1,964 | $23,573 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Medford) | $28.33 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Auto Service Technician (National Avg) | $24.83 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Medford, OR earn a median of $58,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.07% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.40% below the Oregon state average of $59,768.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.33/hr = $35,359/year (purchasing power: $34,859).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,932/year (purchasing power: $58,099).
CoL index: 101.433 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Medford grew 35.8% from $20.09/hr (2019) to $27.29/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.41/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.82% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer in Medford
Part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Medford may find themselves balancing their schedules to optimize earnings without committing to full-time work. On a yearly basis, income generated from a 3-day workweek may allow for a sustainable living, albeit with limited benefits. Per diem technicians working on out-of-town commercial projects can earn between $80 to $150 daily, in addition to a competitive base pay rate ranging from $30 to $55 hourly, significantly boosting their overall compensation. Conversely, those operating as independent contractors or with larger residential service companies may see an effective rate as high as $90 to $160 per hour in peak demand seasons. However, higher hourly wages often come without benefits, making it essential for workers to evaluate what compensation structure best fits their needs. Whether negotiating pay rates or considering different employer types, technicians in Medford should be mindful of the industry's evolving landscape, particularly with the growing popularity of heat pumps and the emerging influences of new refrigerants and installation trends.
More salary data for Medford, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Medford in 2026?
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Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Medford paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Medford?
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Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Medford. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers (SOC 49-9021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician, a licensed heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov